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Knicks chief executive, Scott Perry, said he was in a "comfortable place" with Kristaps Porzingis after it became official Monday, he would not benefit from a contract extension as long as he was not became a restricted autonomous agent in July.
But Perry was strangely upset when asked directly whether Porzingis was satisfied with his contractual situation.
"It's a question you should ask him," said Perry. "But I think Kristaps and his representation, they are very – he's re-adapting very well. We are happy to see the progress he has made with this. I think one of the goals we are aligned with is that this team is able to be very competitive in moving forward. "
The reason for this delay – apart from Porzingis who does not yet prove that he is the same player after an ACL operation – is that, meanwhile, the Knicks will have an additional $ 10 million in 2019. Before the date limit, they could have given it an extension of 155 million dollars.
In a nutshell, the Knicks could sign Porzingis again in July and go beyond the hood to do so, as long as they keep the hood. Porzingis could be torn. He probably wanted financial security now rather than later, but he also understood the strategy because his goal was to play for the winner.
"It's a by-product of [waiting], the fact that financial flexibility is created because of this, "said Perry. "Regarding the dialogue we had, I will keep the detail of this private. Another thing I can add and say is that they want to win, Kristaps and his representation, like us. I think we both want to see an extremely competitive Knicks alignment in the long run. "
However, if the Knicks' maximum capability space does not allow signing a standalone agent to join Porzingis, he may decide not to be in New York. Kyrie Irving, who was initially considered the Knicks' best hope for free will, has announced plans to re-sign with Boston, although some league players take it with a grain of salt.
"We think our conversations are well placed," Perry said of Porzingis. "It is extremely important for us to go forward. I think we are both in a comfortable space right now. We will continue to work throughout the season. "
The Knicks are in the bank Porzingis will become their superstar, but still refuses to give a schedule to his return.
"Porzingis is a special and unique talent," said Perry. "It is extremely important for this franchise. It is someone who, while continuing to strategically strengthen this team, is an integral part of it. The goal is to continue working very closely with him and his representation to allow him to be part of the New York Knicks in the long run. "
Whatever Perry says, Porzingis's brother / agent, Janis, has been extremely aggressive in the past with regard to his concern over the direction of the organization, although Phil Jackson's dismissal somewhat eased those concerns. Jackson's departure took place after Janis ordered his brother not to attend the exit meeting, which prompted Jackson, angry, to listen to the commercial offers of the young star entering the project of 2017.
In July, Porzingis may feel that the club is not on the right track and resentful for not extending its extension due to lack of space.
The Knicks can match any Porzingis offer next July as he will be a limited free agent. But that does not mean that Porzingis will not finally be able to ask for an exchange in the tradition of Jimmy Butler, Kawhi Leonard or Irving.
David Fizdale, coach of Porzingis and the Knicks, got off to a good start after visiting Fizdale in Latvia this summer. Porzingis, a friend of Fizdale's former partner Marc Gasol, said last month that he feels "in a good mood," but has retained the affirmation of the new vision.
"I feel good," Porzingis said. "It's the beginning, it's hard to say, but I feel things are going well, but it's a long process to get there, it's going to take time for us."
Perry gave no indication as to when Porzingis would be allowed to play and did not bite when asked if his lack of a contract extension would oblige the Latvian to think twice before to play this season.
"It's progressing well," said Perry. "What we have always said is that we are not going to rush things, but rush the process. We will let her reeducation dictate the next steps. … Again, Kristaps will come back when he is both mentally and physically ready to play. "
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